Orientation and Connection Leaders

Connection Program Coordinators

The Connection Program Coordinators serve as mentors and coaches for the Orientation and Connection Leaders while also facilitating your transition to Lynchburg College from SOAR to the end of your first semester and beyond. They also facilitate your GS 100 or HONR 100 course.

Kimber Butler

Hometown: Vinton, Va.Major: Business Administration and HistoryAdvice for new students: “Set up a system for studying and doing homework. And get involved early in the year and become active on campus! My life became much easier after getting involved.”

Logan Evans

Hometown: Williamsburg, Va.Major: Exercise PhysiologyAdvice for new students: “Two words: ‘Get involved!’ I have been a part of the Westover Executive Board, the LC club basketball team, and have gone on a study abroad trip to London with other Westover Fellows. I stay busy and involved, and it has helped me find happiness at LC.”

Christy Gaddy

Hometown: Bedford, Va.Major: Interdisciplinary Studies – Elementary EducationAdvice for new students: “Take it all in and take it slow. Enjoy your first semester of college and have fun! Get to know your professors on campus; build strong relationships and connections with friends, faculty and staff on campus. You never know when you may need a helping hand or a guide to show you the way!”

Nicole Simpao

Hometown: Stafford, Va.Major: Athletic TrainingAdvice for new students: “Take advantage of the available resources to manage time, stay organized, and stay on top of your academics.”

Orientation and Connection Leaders

Orientation and Connection Leaders are current undergraduate students whose role it is to help facilitate the transition of our newest Hornets who are traditional-aged freshmen. They are available to assist you in your transition throughout your first semester and beyond. Orientation Leaders serve as your guide during your SOAR experience while Connection Leaders serve as the facilitators for the G S 100 and HONR 100 courses during your first semester.

Shawn Allen

Connection Leader
Hometown: Columbus, N.J.Major: Health and Physical EducationAdvice for new students: “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself! Establish a routine to get in the flow and you’ll be able to balance all of your new experiences.”

Marissa Alvaro

Orientation Leader
Hometown: Fredericksburg, Va.Major: Health PromotionAdvice for new students: “Get involved! This will open doors that will lead to your success. I believe Lynchburg has something for everyone!”

Josh Bell

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Quinton, Va.Major: International RelationsAdvice for new students: “Don’t be afraid to take chances, you never know what you might miss by not participating.”

Sara Berlin

Connection Leader
Hometown: Oak Park, MIMajor: CriminologyAdvice for new students: “Take some time settling in to your new surroundings. Get to know your fellow students and faculty members, and use the gen ed courses to discover your academic path – be flexible and enjoy your time at Lynchburg!”

Jeremy Blasiole

Connection Leader
Hometown: Smithfield, Va.Major: English and FrenchAdvice for new students: “Get involved! Everyone says that, but it’s true! Club/team meetings, practices, and service events are some of the best ways to meet new friends.”

Lexi Bunn

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Fredericksburg, Va.Major: Health PromotionAdvice for new students: “Get out there and get active in clubs. Go to events and become an active member of Lynchburg College!”

Sarah-Anne Burrell

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Faber, Va.Major: Interdisciplinary Studies – Elementary EducationAdvice for new students: “Manage your time wisely. You’ll have more freedom than you’ve had before – your success is dependent on time management!”

LaDell Bush

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Smyrna, Del.Major: BiologyAdvice for new students: “Try your best not to procrastinate on your papers and studying. There are lots of activities and time management is your friend! Use PASS sessions, the Writing Center, and other available tools to keep your grades up.”

Amanda Chandler

Connection Leader
Hometown: South Boston, Va.Major: PsychologyAdvice for new students: “College is what you make it. If you have a positive, willing mindset, then you will have a great experience!”

Shekinah Chidzero

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Williamsburg, Va.Major: PsychologyAdvice for new students: “Be prepared for change, and be adaptable! Also, time management is a necessary skill to develop!”

Tess deGraffenried

Connection Leader
Hometown: The Woodlands, Tex.Major: CriminologyAdvice for new students: “Get involved, learn how to balance education and fun, and ask for help.”

Evan Gough

Orientation Leader
Hometown: Catonsville, Md.Major: Communication Studies – Communication & Social InfluenceAdvice for new students: “To follow your heart, and to find yourself. When you attend college, it gives you an incredible journey to find oneself. Following your heart will help you to find yourself, and ultimately will take you far.”

Bethany Guthall

Connection Leader
Hometown: Sparks, Md.Major: Interdisciplinary Studies – Special EducationAdvice for new students: “Get involved! Take advantage of all the resources we have on campus! The Writing Center is free and is helpful in every stage of the writing process, whether you are brainstorming ideas for a paper or reading over a final draft. The Health Center is also free and helpful if you encounter any health problems. They sometimes offer free flu shots! These are only a few of the many good resources on campus that can help students.”

Grace Harkins

Connection Leader
Hometown: Roswell, Ga.Major: NursingAdvice for new students: “Approach college with an open mind; be friendly to everyone and be open to new experiences to come. Most importantly, don’t forget to call your parents!”

Brianna Heath

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Madison, Va.Major: Environmental ScienceAdvice for new students: “In order to succeed in college you have to balance your work and leisure. Freshmen year is a time to get to know new people, experience new things, and get involved on campus and around the community! Create allotted times to study while leaving room for friends.”

Kaleigh Henson

Connection Leader
Hometown: Lynchburg, Va.Major: Biomedical ScienceAdvice for new students: “If you can overcome time management, you will always be successful. Time management, I believe, is the key to success here at Lynchburg College.”

Kayla Hugate

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Chesterfield, Va.Major: Biomedical ScienceAdvice for new students: “Become aware of all the resources that are available on campus, and take advantage of them — they are here to help us!”

Kyle Jacksic

Connection Leader
Hometown: Hardwick, N.J.Major: Exercise PhysiologyAdvice for new students: “Time management will make or break you; never be afraid to seek help.”

Mitchell Jancse

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Warrenton, Pa.Major: PhysicsAdvice for new students: “Think about learning public speaking. If you never have the nerve to put yourself out there and have your voice heard, then you will spend your life following other people’s voices.”

Kelsey Kaiser

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Lynchburg, Va.Major: Health PromotionAdvice for new students: “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. The opportunities are endless! If there is something you really want to do, go and do it. If you should feel that you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. Everybody is willing to help you succeed.”

Abigail Kaufmann

Connection Leader
Hometown: Montpelier, Va.Major: BiologyAdvice for new students: “Learn to balance the three S’s: Study, Socialize, and Sleep.”

Brooke Lindgren

Connection Leader
Hometown: Ashland, Va.Major: Criminology-PhilosophyAdvice for new students: “Get involved in clubs and social activities. Always go to class, and don’t slack off or wait until the last minute for assignments!”

Hanna McWilliams

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Frederick, Md.Major: SociologyAdvice for new students: “Get involved on campus. College is a time to explore many possibilities and find out what you are passionate about!”

Sara Miller

Connection Leader
Hometown: Powell, OhioMajor: Health PromotionAdvice for new students: “You need a balance of social and physical health in order to be a healthy individual. If you spend every waking minute studying or preparing for a class, your social and mental health will eventually deteriorate. Enjoy your friends, because they will be there for you in your moments of stress!”

Seiya Nomura

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Gretna, Va.Major: Music EducationAdvice for new students: “I would advise freshmen to not be intimidated by college. Making friends is one of the keys to enjoying college and having a great experience. It’s importance to focus on your studies and to keep a balance, without procrastination.”

Hiatt O’Connor

Connection Leader
Hometown: Westminster, Md.Major: Philosophy-Political ScienceAdvice for new students: “Success in college depends on efficiency, dedication, balance, and making comprehensive decisions. Starting projects early and staying up to date on assignments is absolutely necessary.”

Rebekah Paradis

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Fallston, Md.Major: MarketingAdvice for new students: “First — get out of your room and meet people! Next — learn how to balance getting school work done and having free time. Finally — try not to rely too much on people at home; learn to build your independence!”

Carolanne Sink

Connection Leader
Hometown: Gordonsville, Va.Major: NursingAdvice for new students: “Get involved on campus. Join a club, sign up for volunteer activities, or participate in fitness classes. There are also all sorts of events to attend, and many academic resources, such as PASS and Go-Mentoring. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to balance your social life and academics!”

Kacie Smith

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Muncy, Pa.Major: CriminologyAdvice for new students: “Start your homework once it is assigned, and don’t wait until the night before it’s due! This will cause stress and anxiety. The professors truly want you to be successful in your classes.”

Kathryn Vest

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Greensboro, N.C.Major: Exercise PhysiologyAdvice for new students: “You’ll surprise yourself! As a freshman, although it’s uncomfortable, you have to put yourself out there. The benefits that come are unimaginable.”

Christa Walker

Orientation Leader
Hometown: Lynchburg, Va.Major: Communication Studies – Communication & Social InfluenceAdvice for new students: “The way to being successful in college is to find a balance. Once you learn time management, you’ve got the key!'”

Devon Weichel

Orientation and Connection Leader
Hometown: Locust Grove, Va.Major: ManagementAdvice for new students: “#1 Make sure to get involved on campus. #2 Give yourself enough time to complete assignments. #3 You don’t have to do schoolwork all the time. Classes are important but LC has many amazing things to offer outside the classroom too. Not to mention, we all need a break!”

Samuel Wilkins

Connection Leader
Hometown: Penns Grove, N.J.Major: HistoryAdvice for new students: “Engage with diverse people around you. Take a leap of faith, get outside your comfort zone, and make new friends! Also take advantage of all the resources that are here on campus.”